More branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) across the country have suspended academic activities following delays in the payment of June 2025 salaries by the Federal Government.
Bellnews reports that this development follows an earlier warning by the ASUU National President, Chris Piwuna, who stated in an interview with Punch that the union would enforce a “no pay, no work” policy if salary payments were delayed.
Despite the warning, several academics in public universities and polytechnics have yet to receive their June salaries, prompting widespread withdrawal of services.
According to Punch, the University of Jos chapter of ASUU, led by Chairman Jurbe Molwus, in Plateau State, announced a total withdrawal of services, citing non-payment of salaries.
“Our members have abstained from lectures and statutory meetings in accordance with the NEC resolution, which mandates service withdrawal if salaries are not paid by the third day of a new month,” Molwus stated.
He added that the branch’s strike monitoring team had been activated to ensure compliance.
Similarly, at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, the ASUU branch also confirmed that lecturers stayed away from academic duties.
The Chairman of ASUU-ATBU, Angulu Haruna, accused the Federal Government of “deliberate negligence” in handling university staff salaries.
“While other government workers are paid on time, universities are treated as afterthoughts. We’ve been told the delays are due to migration from the IPPIS platform, but that excuse no longer holds water,” Haruna lamented.
At the University of Abuja, lecturers were noticeably absent from classrooms on Monday, as sources confirmed that most staff were complying with ASUU’s directive.
In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) also issued a stern warning to the government on Sunday night, threatening to commence a nationwide strike if their salaries are not paid.
The statement emphasised that failure to meet salary obligations would be met with full industrial action.
Lecturers at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, are also reportedly complying with the union’s directive.
A senior lecturer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Punch that most academic staff had agreed to stay away from teaching and meetings until the June salary is paid.